I Woke Up 325 by M.P. Arsent
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When we got to the road to turn off for the center, we were blocked. We could see large clouds of smoke billowing from the building.
I found a place to park and spotted Coach Matthews.
"Any idea what happened or how bad it is?"
"Sorry, Dennis no idea on either count, but I'm doubting we'll be getting in there today."
"I doubt we'll be getting back in there before we're off back to college. At least it will only be a week or so for you Alex."
"I'm just glad I had it for as long as I did. I should be in great shape for tryouts this year."
"I imagine they'll be surprised to see me when I get back to college, though I did warn them."
"Well, Den I don't see anything for it but to head home."
"Yeah, I guess so. You're more than welcome to come to use the exercise room for a bit if you want Alex."
"Thanks, Dennis, but I'll settle for just getting home."
So we piled back into the car and headed home. When we got to Alex's building I stopped to talk to him before he got out.
"Take care of yourself Alex, and don't let your grades suffer for the gymnastics."
"Are you kidding? Patrick would have my hide. You take care as well and I'll see you at the All-state."
"Damn right, you will."
Once Karl and I got back to our house, we hit the room for an hour or so. Bobbie was shortly over to the house.
"You guys are back awfully yearly."
"Yeah there was a fire at the gym, so there was no sense in hanging around there."
"So you guys are going to be home on Saturday mornings now?"
"Yeah for the next couple of weeks before we head back to campus."
"Good. More time to hang out with my brothers."
It didn't take a lot of intuition to realize what Bobbie wanted.
"Go get your bathing suit, but wait until we're outside."
Bobbie was off like a shot.
Karl and I headed inside and got our own suits on and the rest of the day was spent horsing around in the pool. It wasn't long before the rest of Karls family joined us.
Once it started to get dark out our impromptu pool party broke up. Once we got things cleaned up, Karl and I didn't even waste any time in front of the TV and just crashed.
Sunday morning saw us up and out for our jogging with the guys. After breakfast with Karl's family, it was once again a day by the pool.
Monday morning and we started our week once again. After the morning routine, I headed for the office. As usual, Stan was there ahead of me.
"Didn't see anything to be concerned about over the weekend boss, and Europe seems pretty sluggish so far this morning."
"Guess my gut was wrong for a change."
"It will happen, boss."
I went into my office and got myself situated for the day. Morning mail was brought around and there were a couple of official-looking envelopes.
The first was a "Thanks but no thanks" from one of the investment groups, and the other was the building inspector's report.
I started to go through that one in detail. When I got to the end of it, there was a lot of little stuff, most of it cosmetic, but in the end, the building was sound.
So, I was on good ground as far as the building was concerned, it was just the funding I had to come up with.
Stan looked into the office and saw the packages.
"Any takers?"
"Not yet, but on the plus side, the building itself is in pretty good shape."
"Well, that's something."
"It is. Now all I need is the money, and actually winning the bid on the building."
"Was there a lot of interest last week when you inspected it?"
"There were several others looking at it, so I'd have to say yes to that."
"So, you could get locked into a bidding war and see the cost of this whole thing get run up?"
"Always a possibility, but there's no use worrying about that until I get the financing."
"True enough. Ah well back to it."
The rest of the morning was uneventful as was most of the afternoon. The afternoon mail didn't have anything good or bad as far as the proposal was concerned.
At about 4 the intercom buzzed.
"There's a Mr. Oliver Adams on line 3."
I recognized that name right away. He was with the Bodga group, the ones most likely to accept my proposal.
I picked up the phone.
"Good afternoon Mr Adams. How may I help you today?"
"Mr Sawyer, I assume you have a good idea of why I'm calling?"
"I do sir."
"Can we see you in our offices, say this Friday morning?"
"I believe I can manage that."
"Very good sir. We'll see you first thing Friday morning."
"Thank you, sir, until then."
I went straight to Stan's office.
"I'm going to be out of here Thursday and Friday. Oliver Adams from the Bogda group just called and they want to see me Friday morning."
"That sounds encouraging."
"Mrs Hines, I need a flight to Chicago on Thursday, a return flight on Saturday, and a hotel reservation."
"Working on it."
I called down to the mail room.
"Bob, I need one of the guys up here to make a run to the printers."
Alan was soon at my door.
"What now boss?"
I handed him the report from the building inspector.
"30 copies bound ASAP."
"On it."
I called Karl.
"What the hell Den? You never call me during the day."
"I'm headed for Chicago on Thursday. You coming with or staying here?"
"What the hell is in Chicago?"
"The Bogda group wants a face-to-face."
"That's good right?"
"I hope to hell it is."
"I've got to be here for some meetings Den."
"I understand lover. I've got things to do. See you at home."
I knew my dad had kept a big rolling sample case-type bag here somewhere.
"Stan, any idea where dads big sample case bag is?"
"Should be in the closet."
I went and looked and it was there. I pulled it out and put 30 copies of the proposal into it. There was plenty of room left for the building inspector's report once that was done.
"Dennis, you want me there for support?"
"It would be nice, but one of us has to be here."
"How about Karl?"
"He has business commitments of his own. I'll be flying solo."
"You need to take somebody with you Dennis. Chicago can be a rough town. I'd feel a lot better if there was somebody watching your back."
"I would too but....I think I know just the person."
I went to my office and dialed Pete.
"You up for a trip to Chicago?"
"Chicago? Why the hell would I want to go to Chicago?"
"To have my back. I have to go to make a presentation and nobody wants me traveling alone."
"Yeah, I can appreciate that I suppose. When?"
"Leaving Thursday coming back Saturday."
"Ok, you're on. What do I need to pack and do I need to go to this presentation with you?"
"Just the usual stuff for 3 days and a suit preferably. As for the presentation, I'll be going that alone, but I want you to see me there and back."
"I can do that. What time are we leaving?"
"Don't know yet that's still in the works. Hold on a second."
I went over to Mrs Hines.
"Please make that tickets for two. The other will be for Mr Peter Pershing."
"Very good sir. There's a 12:30 flight and a 4:30 flight."
"Try for the 12:30 and first class if it's available."
"Yes sir."
I got back on the line with Pete.
"Looks like a 12:30 departure, which means we should be at the terminal by 11. That puts us leaving here about 9 to be safe."
"I'll be ready."
By now, the closing bell had sounded and folks were heading home.
Before he left Patrick was stopped.
"What's up, boss? You've been running back and forth for the last half hour?"
"Remember I asked you about a new gym? Well, it just might be happening. I need to head out of town to see about it."
"Good luck with that boss. Seems like it's going to be needed if the place in Edgeton was heavily damaged."
"Yeah, I haven't heard about that yet. So go home and take it easy for the night."
"Yes boss."
I headed for the door myself.
Mrs Hines stopped me before I left.
"The tickets will be delivered tomorrow and here's the confirmation on your hotel reservation."
"Thank you, Mrs Hines."
I got home safe and sound and Karl was shortly behind me.
"So off to the really big city. You watch yourself."
"Yeah well, I won't be alone. Pete is coming with me."
"Good I'll rest a little easier knowing there's somebody there with you."
The rest of the night was uneventful and we crashed out a bit early.